Also known as
- Demetrius the Great Martyr
- Demetrius the Megalomartyr
- Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer
- Dimitri
- 8 October (Roman Church)
- 26 October (Eastern Church)
Profile
Born to a wealthy, noble family and raised Christian. Soldier. Deacon. Duke of Thessaly under emperor Maximian in 190. When he was found to be a Christian he was arrested and imprisoned in a bath-house. Martyr. His story was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Reported to have appeared during a battle in 586, centuries after his death, to help defend Thessalonika. Over 200 churches in the Balkans are known to have been dedicated to him.
Born
- 3rd century in Thessalonia
- run through with spears c.306 at Sirmium (in modern Serbia)
- relics originally housed at Sirmium and Thessalonika where they were reported to exude holy oil
- a bone relic reported to still be in a monastery on Mount Athos
Additional Information
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Golden Legend
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
Readings
The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy. - Apolytikion (Third Tone)
God, who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Demetrios. - Kontakion (Second Tone)